Former Republican Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska, who was known for his staunch fiscal conservatism, reportedly spent $1.3 million on extravagant parties and social functions while serving as president of the University of Florida system, according to a report from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Sasse, who vocally opposed President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, now faces criticism for his own lavish spending.
Sasse, a vocal critic of government waste, once slammed Biden’s loan forgiveness plan in a 2022 interview, calling it a “waste of money.” At the time, he argued that the plan, which was later struck down by the Supreme Court, “just baptized the most broken parts of higher ed.” Sasse emphasized his belief that the American higher education system was failing to serve enough students effectively.
Despite his fiscal conservative image, Sasse, who resigned from the Senate to become president of the University of Florida, reportedly spent millions on luxurious events for university officials and donors. According to Sun-Sentinel reporter Garrett Shanley, the $1.3 million went to “private catering for lavish dinners, football tailgates, and extravagant social functions.” Among these expenses was a sushi bar with two dedicated chefs that cost nearly $40,000.
The report also detailed one particularly opulent event where Sasse hosted university executives and members of the university’s fundraising foundation at the old president’s mansion. The evening featured a student choir singing carols, and Sasse personally welcomed guests with a toast from two open bars serving unlimited alcohol. The liquor bill alone came to $7,061.
Sasse stepped down as university president in July, citing family health issues, but the spending during his tenure has raised questions about his adherence to the fiscal principles he once championed. Florida’s public higher education system has undergone significant changes under Governor Ron DeSantis, who appointed Sasse to his role.
DeSantis has sought to reshape the state’s universities by influencing hiring practices, academic curriculums, and spending decisions. At the New College of Florida, DeSantis appointed far-right strategists like Chris Rufo to leadership roles, dismantled the tenure system, and caused upheaval in the school’s curriculum and housing.
Even as DeSantis pushes his ideological agenda in Florida’s education system, some GOP lawmakers have expressed concerns over his drastic changes. Sasse’s lavish spending while leading the University of Florida adds another layer of controversy to the ongoing transformation of the state’s higher education landscape.